Preparation of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ga/In based fluorophosphates glass–ceramics by thermoelectric treatments

Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluorophosphates glass with the composition of 20GaF3–15InF3–17CdF2–15ZnF2–18.5PbF2–10SnF2–3P2O5–0.5Er2F3–1Yb2F3 was prepared by the melt quenching technique. The glass was heat treated with and without the application of an external electric field. The samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-environment scanning electron (FE-SEM) and fluorescence spectra. The presence of electric field, during the heat treatment, promotes the crystallization at lower temperature. Compared to the as-prepared sample, the fluorescence intensity significantly increases in glass–ceramics. Besides, electric field can induce crystallization when one electrode is isolated from the material as well.

► Electric field induced crystallization in fluorophosphates glass.
► The experiments were conducted with cathode in direct contact with the material.
► This technology makes it possible for controlling crystallization in fluoride glass.